Eating seven or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day can reduce your risk of death at any age by 42 per cent compared to eating less than one portion, according to a new study. Researchers from University College London also found that fresh vegetables may be slightly more protective than fresh fruit, and canned fruit actually appears to increase the risk of death. The study analysed information from more than 65,000 people in England ages 35 and older who answered questions about their eating habits.